A farm near Manchester where you can go on hikes with alpacas is planning to add glamping pods to the experience.
Lancashire’s Lowlands Farm hopes to introduce overnight accommodation options to its visits and farm experiences.
At present, families can hang out with the farm’s adorable alpacas on a relaxing walk around the beautiful countryside.
You’re paired with your own animal and take it for a walk over flat grassland – picture taking a dog for a walk but then make it loads bigger and covered in wool.
After the walk, staff at the family-run farm will introduce you to the other animals who live here, including Swiss Valas sheep Harrison and Hendricks, Narla the donkey, and all the horses.
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There’s also chickens, ponies, rabbits, guinea pigs and even farm cats to say hello to.
And younger visitors can be stunned by their rarest farm animal – the unicorn. At their unicorn experiences, you can brush the mythical creature’s beautiful colourful manes, paint their hooves, and take them on a treasure hunt around an enchanted paddock.
Lowlands Farm started with only three alpacas back in 2010, but they’ve since grown their herd by dozens and created a range of experiences for brilliant family days out.
The farm in Westby-with-Plumptons has built a solid reputation for animal therapy visits too, aiming to help people with mild to moderate mental health issues, special needs, learning disabilities, or illness.
They now want to build five timber-clad glamping pods, which have artificial grass roofs to fit in with the rural setting.
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In their planning application, Lowlands Farm say: “This small family enterprise has a great sense of commitment at their heart and hence has built strong customer relationships. Their dedication and deep genuine understanding of the various users’ needs has resulted in a natural and steady growth of the business. Parents and leads of special needs groups comment that the hosts’ genuine understanding of their children’s needs/behavioural habits allows them to relax more, which in turn calms the children.
Lowlands Farm is home to a herd of alpacas as well as other farm animals. Credit: Unsplash
“The expansion in uptake of the current activities/experiences has led to enquiries from attendees as to whether overnight stays could be offered. These enquiries have come from parents and leaders, of both the special needs and mainstream groups and families. Many have suggested that extending their stay on site overnight would be extremely beneficial.
“The parents and leaders of the special needs groups advise that such a facility would further enhance the current benefits of the visits, especially the children with autism; the site is small, quiet and calming.
“The parents of mainstream children also state that they would be interested in staying on the site as part of an extension of the package farm experience package currently offered. They believe it would help them encourage their children away from electronic devices and immerse themselves in the natural environment; such benefits have already been noted with the annual ‘family camp’.”
If approved, Lowlands Farm will be able to offer overnight glamping stays in the warmer six months of the year.
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In the meantime, you can book an alpaca walk or another experience here.
New CGIs released of Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel in Wigan town centre
Emily Sergeant
Some new CGIs have given us a sneak peak inside Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel soon to open in Wigan town centre.
In case this is the first you’re hearing of the development, Wigan Council announced back in March 2024 in collaboration with its development partner Cityheart that it had signed a franchise agreement with world-renowned hotel brand, Hilton, for a stunning six-storey Hampton by Hilton hotel pop up right in the heart of Wigan town centre, just off Market Street.
The new venture forms part of the Greater Manchester town’s £135 million redevelopment of the former Galleries Shopping Centre – which was approved in July 2023.
The hotel will be located directly-opposite the bus station entrance of New Market Street, and is within 500 yards of both town centre train stations.
It’s being called ‘one of the most important elements’ of the Galleries masterplan.
New CGIs have been released of Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel in Wigan town centre / Credit: Supplied
As well as the 144 bedrooms – with ‘accessible’ rooms to be built on each accommodation level – the new hotel will also house a gym overlooking the new square, a main reception area and dining space on the ground floor, meeting and conference rooms, and secure parking will be available for guests.
Dozens of staff are expected to be employed at the new hotel – which the Council says will provide a range of job opportunities for local residents.
Once complete, the hotel will form part of the exciting new town centre neighbourhood providing a new Market Hall and food court, more than 400 homes, bars, restaurants, and leisure uses, all designed to celebrate Wigan’s proud heritage and unique identity.
The new venture forms part of the Greater Manchester town’s £135 million redevelopment / Credit: Supplied
“It’s great to see the progress of this exciting Hampton by Hilton development, which not only plays a role in Wigan’s regeneration, but continues to strengthen our footprint in the North West,” commented Paul Blackmore, who is the Vice President of Development at Hilton UK & Ireland, as the CGIs were released this week.
“The ambition shown by Wigan Council and Cityheart to create a dynamic new hub for retail, leisure, business and living truly resonated with us, and we look forward to welcoming guests when the hotel opens in late 2027.”
Construction work will start on site in October 2025, with an expected opening of the new hotel in winter 2027.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Trafford Centre reveals Halloween events lineup with ‘nerve-shredding’ rides, creepy crafts, and more
Emily Sergeant
Spooky season is nearly upon us, and the Trafford Centre has now announced its lineup of Halloween activities to get stuck into.
With not long to go until schools across Greater Manchester break up for half term, and with Halloween within touching distance, the major shopping centre has revealed an exciting collection of events that’ll be happening over the next couple of weeks – and there’s activities for people of all ages.
From creepy crafts, to hair-raising rides and eerie evening entertainment, there’s something for every brave soul.
Back by popular demand from 25 October is the Halloween Fair, which will pop up outside The Great Hall featuring nerve-shredding rides, a spine-tingling atmosphere, carnival vibes, and loads more, right through until 2 November.
Brand new for 2025 is Fright Night at the fair, which is a truly immersive scare experience for daring teens and adults.
The Trafford Centre has revealed its Halloween events lineup for 2025 / Credit: Supplied
Fright Night will bring three evenings of pure horror from 30 October – 1 November, as creepy characters roam the fairground once the sun’s gone down.
For families wanting half term fun but looking for a gentler kind of magic, there’s a chance to join characters Wanda Web and Jack O’Lantern for some creepy crafts like relaxing pumpkin decorating, eerie face painting, and making your own witches and wizards hats to take home.
The legendary Big Wheel will also be returning for the festive season so you can ascend into the misty night sky high above the Trafford Centre for eerie nighttime views.
And to top it all off, Gandeys will be bringing back the fan-favourite ‘Spooktacular’ for 2025.
There’ll be ‘nerve-shredding’ rides, creepy crafts, and loads more to get involved with / Credit: Trafford Centre
“Halloween is one of the most exciting times of year for us at Trafford Centre, and this year’s lineup is bigger and better than ever,” commented Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at Trafford Centre.
“From spine-chilling rides and late-night scares to pumpkin painting for the little ones, we’ve created an experience that everyone can enjoy. We can’t wait to welcome families, friends and thrill-seekers alike for a Halloween celebration like no other.”
Daisy Jackson -
15th June 2023 
